Theaters Ban Masks For ‘Joker’ Film: Austin Locations Near You

AUSTIN, TX — Movie theater chains are taking precautions ahead of the release of "Joker," a film based on the comics villain but now with production values depicting brutal acts of violence of the kind that has incited real-life bloodshed in the past.

Landmark Theaters, a Los Angeles-based chain with screens across the country, will ban moviegoers from wearing masks, painted faces or costumes to screenings of the upcoming “Joker” film, the company announced. The move is in response to growing concerns about the film's depicted violence not unlike that seen in a Batman movie that incited a 2012 mass shooting at a Colorado theater.

For its part, AMC Theatres — the biggest movie theater chain in the U.S. — announced it would not allow audience members to obscure their faces, although costumes will be permitted. The chain previously banned masks in theaters following the Colorado mass shooting.

“Guests are welcome to come dressed in costume, but we do not permit masks, face paint or any object that conceals the face,” AMC said in a statement. “AMC does not permit weapons or items that would make other guests feel uncomfortable or detract from the movie-going experience.”

“Joker” is set for release Friday, Oct. 4.

Austin has a pair of AMC theaters — one each in Austin and Cedar Park:

• AMC Lakeline 9, 11200 Lakeline Mall Dr., Cedar Park, Texas 78613.
• Barton Creek Square 14 located on 2901 Capital Of Texas Hwy. in Austin.

There are no Landmark Theaters in the Austin area, with two in Dallas and one in Houston. For a full list of all AMC locations, click here. A full list of Landmark Theaters can be found here.

The film stars Joaquin Phoenix as a failed stand-up comic hellbent on causing harm to society — especially arch nemesis Batman — after a fall into a tank of chemical waste left him severely disfigured. In early iterations of the character's narrative, chemical contact caused the characters face to turn a ghostly white, his hair green and lips bright red. The character first appeared in the debut issue of the comic book Batman on April 25, 1940, published by DC Comics.

But this is not your grandfather's Joker. What was then portrayed as a prankster (albeit one with the tendencies of a sociopath) is now a stylized version of that early iteration that engages in violent acts of destruction enhanced by elevated production values on the big screen.

Even ahead of its official release, the movie has been criticized for glorifying mass violence. Annoyed by the critique, Phoenix reportedly walked out during a recent interview after being asked whether the film could inspire real violence.

In the weeks before the film’s opening date, the FBI told local law-enforcement agencies across the country to watch for troubling online posts, according to the Washington Post. Military officials also have warned about possible violence at screenings after being contacted by FBI agents who reportedly found social media posts from extremists about possible violence at theaters. In response, the U.S. Army released a memo about online “chatter” on the dark web detailing threats at a Joker screening — which, in turn, prompted theater operators to plan added security during the film's run.

Patch reached out to the Austin Police Department to determine if extra precautions had been implemented locally. The APD replied via email:

"The Austin Police Department is aware of online conversations regarding the release of the motion picture “The Joker” and possible violence related to its release," a public information officer wrote. "APD is not aware of any credible threats in Austin or the Central Texas area related to this movie."

Still, APD law enforcement officials reached out to with theater owners and managers in the region for added assurance related to public safety: "However, in speaking with owners/managers of local movie theaters, they are also aware of the information and have taken their own steps independently to hire additional security, including off-duty police officers, while the movie is being shown," the APD statement continued. "Additionally, APD will be conducting directed patrols at all local movie theaters, as an increased presence and to detect any criminal activity."